Copiah County

Floodplain Management

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO:

FEMA Region IV Staff

Insurance Office, Inc.

Association of Floodplain Managers of Mississippi

09/08

FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, PURPOSE AND  OBJECTIVES

ARTICLE 2. DEFINTIONS 7

ARTICLE 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 4. ADMINISTRATION

ARTICLE 5. PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION

ARTICLE 6. VARIANCE PROCEDURES

ARTICLE 7. SEVERABILITY

Revised 09/08

MODEL

FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE

ARTICLE 1. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES.

SECTION A.  STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION.

The Legislature of the State of Mississippi has in Title 17, Chapter 1, Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated delegated the responsibility to local government units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry.  Therefore, the Board of Supervisors of Copiah Countydoes hereby adopt the following floodplain management regulations.

SECTION B.  FINDINGS OF FACT.

1. Copiah County is subject to periodic inundation, which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
2. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions both inside and outside the identified Special Flood Hazard Areas causing increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy in flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands which are inadequately elevated, flood-proofed, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.

SECTION C.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:

1. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights velocities;
2. Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
3. Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which are involved in the accommodation of flood waters;
4. Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase erosion or flood damage, and;
5. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands.

SECTION D.  OBJECTIVES.

The objectives of this ordinance are:

1. To protect human life and health;
2. To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
3. To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
4. To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
5. To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, street and bridges located in floodplains;
6. To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood prone areas in such a manner as to minimize flood blight areas, and;
7. To ensure that potential homebuyers are notified that property is in a flood area.

SECTION E.  METHODS OF REDUCING FLOOD LOSSES.

In order to accomplish its purposes, this ordinance includes methods and provisions for:

1. Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;
2. Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
3. Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel flood waters;
4. Controlling filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and,
5. Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert floodwaters or may increase flood hazards in other areas.

ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS.

Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this ordinance shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this ordinance it’s most reasonable application.

A Zone is the Area of Special Flood Hazard without water surface elevations determined.

A1 – A30 and AE zone is the Area of Special Flood Hazard with base flood elevations determined.

Accessory structure (Appurtenant structure) means a structure, which is located on the same parcel of property as the principle structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principle structure.  Accessory structures should constitute a minimal initial investment, may not be used for human habitation, and be designed to have minimal flood damage potential.  Examples of accessory structures are detached garages, carports, storage sheds, pole barns, and hay sheds.

Addition (to an existing building) means any walled and roofed expansion to the perimeter of a building in which the addition is connected by a common load-bearing wall other than a firewall.  Any walled and roofed addition, which is connected by a firewall or is separated by independent perimeter load-bearing walls, is new construction.

Appeal means a request for a review of the floodplain administrator’s interpretation of any provision of this ordinance or a request for a variance.

AR/A1 – A30, AR/AE, AR/AH, AR/AO, and AR/A zones are SFHAs that result from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is in the process of being restored to provide a 100-year or greater level of flood protection.  After restoration is complete, these areas will still experience residual flooding from other flooding sources.

A99 zone is that part of the SFHA inundated by the 100-year flood to be protected from the 100-year flood by a Federal flood protection system under construction, no base flood elevations are determined.

Area of shallow flooding means a designated AO or AH Zone on the community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with flood depths from one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be evident.  Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow.

Area of special flood hazard is the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one- percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

B and X zones (shaded) are areas of 500-year flood, areas subject to the 100-year flood with average depths of less than one foot or with contributing drainage area less than one square mile, and areas protected by certified levees from the base flood.

Base flood means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also called the “100-year flood”).

Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Zones AE, AH, A1-30, AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, AR/AO, V1-V30, and VE that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Basement means that portion of a building having its floor sub-grade (below ground level) on all sides.

Building see Structure.

C and X (unshaded) zones are areas determined to be outside the 500-year floodplain.

Community is a political entity that has the authority to adopt and enforce floodplain ordinances for the area under its jurisdiction.

Community Floodplain Management Map means any map produced by the community utilizing best available base flood elevation and floodway data that is from a federal, state, or other accepted technical source.

Community Rating System (CRS) is a program developed by the Federal Insurance Administration to provide incentives for those communities in the Regular Program that have gone beyond the minimum floodplain management requirements to develop extra measures to provide protection from flooding.

Community Flood Hazard Area (CFHA) is an area that has been determined by the Floodplain Administrator (or other delegated, designated, or qualified community official) from available technical studies, historical information, and other available and reliable sources, which may be subject to periodic inundation by floodwaters that can adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.  This includes areas downstream from dams.

Critical facility means facilities for which even a slight chance of flooding might be too great.  Critical facilities include, but are not limited to designated public shelters, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, police, fire and emergency response installations, and installations which produce, use or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.

D zone is an area in which the flood hazard is undetermined.

Dam is any artificial barrier, including appurtenant works, constructed to impound or divert water, waste-water, liquid borne materials, or solids that may flow if saturated.  All structures necessary to maintain the water level in an impoundment or to divert a stream from its course will be considered a dam.

Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating, drilling operations, or storage of materials or equipment.

Elevated building means for insurance purposes, a non-basement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.

Elevation Certificate is a certified statement that verifies a building’s elevation information.

Emergency Program means the first phase under which a community participates in the NFIP.  It is intended to provide a first layer amount of insurance at subsidized rates on all insurable buildings in that community before the effective date of the initial FIRM.

Enclosure Below the Lowest Floor see “Lowest Floor.”

Encroachment means the advance or infringement of uses, plant growth, fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain, which may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain.

Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) was issued by President Carter in 1977.  This order requires that no federally assisted activities be conducted in or have the potential to affect identified Special Flood Hazard Areas, unless there is no practicable alternative.

Existing Construction includes any structure for which the “start of construction” commenced before August 4, 1988

Existing manufactured home park or subdivision means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community before August 4, 1988

Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision includes the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).

Fill means a deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.

Five-Hundred Year Flood means the flood that has a 0.2 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any year.  Areas subject to the 500-year flood have a moderate to low risk of flooding.

Flood or flooding means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

1. The overflow of inland or tidal waters.
2. The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
3. The collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as flash flood or an abnormal tidal surge, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding.

Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) means the official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) has delineated the areas of flood hazards and regulatory floodway.

Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) means an official map of a community, issued by FEMA, where the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard have been identified as Zone A.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) means an official map of a community, on which FEMA has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

Flood Insurance Study (FIS) is the official hydraulic & hydrologic report provided by FEMA.  The report contains flood profiles, as well as the FIRM, FHBM (where applicable) and the water surface elevation of the base flood.

Floodplain means any land area susceptible to being inundated by flood waters from any source.

Floodplain management means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage and preserving and enhancing, where possible, natural resources in the floodplain, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, floodplain management regulations, and open space plans.

Floodplain Administrator is the individual appointed to administer and enforce the floodplain management regulations.

Floodplain management regulations means this ordinance and other zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances, and other applications of police power which control development in flood-prone areas.  This term describes federal, state or local regulations in any combination thereof, which provide standards for preventing and reducing flood loss and damage.

Floodproofing Certificate is a form used to certify compliance for non-residential structures as an alternative to elevating buildings to or above the BFE.

Floodway See Regulatory Floodway

Floodway fringe means that area of the floodplain on either side of the regulatory floodway where encroachment may be permitted without additional hydraulic and/or hydrologic analysis.

Flood Protection Elevation is the base flood elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard. In areas where no base flood elevations exist from any authoritative source, the flood protection elevation can be historical flood elevations, or base flood elevations determined and/or approved by the floodplain administrator.

Freeboard means a factor of safety, usually expressed in feet above the BFE, which is applied for the purposes of floodplain management.  It is used to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than those calculated for the base flood.

Functionally dependent use means a use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water.  The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities.

Hardship (as related to variances of this ordinance) means the exceptional hardship that would result from a failure to grant the requested variance.  The Board of Supervisors of Copiah County requires that the variance is exceptional, unusual, and peculiar to the property involved.  Mere economic or financial hardship alone is NOT exceptional.  Inconvenience, aesthetic considerations, physical handicaps, personal preferences, or the disapproval of one’s neighbors likewise cannot, as a rule, qualify as an exceptional hardship.  All of these problems can be resolved through other means without granting a variance, even if the alternative is more expensive, or requires the property owner to build elsewhere or put the parcel to a different use than originally intended.

Hazard potential means the possible adverse incremental consequences that result from the release of water or stored contents due to failure of a dam or mis-operation of a dam or appurtenances.  The hazard potential classification of a dam does not reflect in any way on the current condition of a dam and its appurtenant structures (e.g., safety, structural integrity, flood routing capacity).

High hazard dam means a class of dam in which failure may cause loss of life, serious damage to residential, industrial, or commercial buildings; or damage to, or disruption of, important public utilities or transportation facilities such as major highways or railroads.  Dams which meet the statutory thresholds for regulation that are proposed for construction in established or proposed residential, commercial, or industrial areas will be assigned this classification, unless the applicant provides convincing evidence to the contrary.  A development permit is required for a building and associated fill downstream from a dam at any location where flooding can be reasonably anticipated from principal or emergency spillway discharges, or from overtopping and failure of the dam.

Highest adjacent grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction, next to the proposed walls of a building.

Historic Structure means any structure that is:

1. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register:
2. Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district:
3. Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
4. Individually listed on a local inventory historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either:
   
   1. By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, or
   2. Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

Hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analysis means an analysis performed by a professional engineer, registered in the State of Mississippi, in accordance with standard engineering practices as accepted by FEMA, used to determine flood elevations and / or floodway boundaries.

Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) means the cost to repair a substantially flood damaged building that exceeds the minimal repair cost and that is required to bring a substantially damaged building into compliance with the local flood damage prevention ordinance.  Acceptable mitigation measures are elevation, relocation, demolition, or any combination thereof.  All renewal and new business policies with effective dates on or after June 1, 1997, will include ICC coverage.

Letter of Map Change (LOMC) is an official FEMA determination, by letter, to amend or revise effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, and Flood Insurance Studies.  LOMC’s are broken down into the following categories:

Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)

A revision based on technical data showing that a property was incorrectly included in a designated SFHA.  A LOMA amends the current effective FIRM and establishes that a specific property is not located in a SFHA.

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)

A revision based on technical data that, usually due to manmade changes, shows changes to flood zones, flood elevations, floodplain and floodway delineations, and planimetric features.  One common type of LORM, a LOMR-F, is a determination concerning whether a structure or parcel has been elevated by fill above the BFE and is, therefore, excluded from the SFHA.

Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR)

A formal review and comment by FEMA as to whether a proposed project complies with the minimum NFIP floodplain management criteria.  A CLOMR does not amend or revise effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, or Flood Insurance Studies.

Levee means a man-made structure; usually an earthen embankment designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control, or diverts the flow of water so as to provide protection from temporary flooding.

Levee system means a flood protection system which consists of a levee, or levees, and associated structures, such as closure and drainage devices, which are constructed and operated in accordance with sound engineering practices.  For a levee system to be recognized, the following criteria must be met.  All closure devices or mechanical systems for internal drainage, whether manual or automatic, must be operated in accordance with an officially adopted operation manual (a copy of which must be provided to FEMA by the operator when levee or drainage system recognition is being sought or revised).  All operations must be under the jurisdiction of a Federal or State agency, an agency created by Federal or State law, or an agency of a community participating in the NFIP.

Low hazard dam means a class of dam in which failure would at the most result in damage to agricultural land, farm buildings (excluding residences), or minor roads.

Lowest adjacent grade means the elevation of the sidewalk, patio, deck support, or basement entryway immediately next to the structure and after the completion of construction.  It does not include earth that is emplaced for aesthetic or landscape reasons around a foundation wall.  It does include natural ground or properly compacted fill that comprises a component of a building’s foundation system.

Lowest floor means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement).  An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement, is not considered a building’s lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the non-elevation provisions of this code.

Manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities.  The term manufactured home does not include a “recreational vehicle.”

Manufactured home park or subdivision means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

Map Panel Number is the four-digit number followed by a letter suffix assigned by FEMA on a flood map.  The first four digits represent the map panel, and the letter suffix represents the number of times the map panel has been revised.

Map Amendment means a change to an effective NFIP map that results in the exclusion from the SFHA or an individual structure or a legally described parcel of land that has been inadvertently included in the SFHA (i.e., no alterations of topography have occurred since the date of the first NFIP map that showed the structure or parcel to be within the SFHA.

Market value means the building value, excluding the land (as agreed between a willing buyer and seller), as established by what the local real estate market will bear.  Market value can be established by independent certified appraisal; replacement cost depreciated by age of building (Actual Cash Value) or adjusted assessed values.

Mean Sea Level means, for the purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the federal program that makes flood insurance available to owners of property in participating communities nationwide through the cooperative efforts of the Federal Government and the private insurance industry.

National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) as corrected in 1929 is a vertical control used as a reference for establishing varying elevations within the floodplain.

New Construction means a structure for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain management regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structure and any construction beginning on a new foundation system or construction beginning with existing foundation system and the raising of new walls.

New manufactured home park or subdivision means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain regulations adopted by a community.

Non-Residential means, but is not limited to; small business concerns, churches, schools, farm buildings (including grain bins and silos), poolhouses, clubhouses, recreational buildings, mercantile structures, agricultural and industrial structures, warehouses, and hotels or motels with normal room rentals for less than 6 months duration.

North American Vertical Datum of 1988 is a vertical control used as a reference for establishing varying elevations within the floodplain.

Obstruction includes, but is not limited to, any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, protection, excavation, channelization, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire, fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure, vegetation or other material in, along, across or projecting into any watercourse which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the flow of water, or due to its location, its propensity to snare or collect debris carried by the flow of water, or its likelihood of being carried downstream.

One-Hundred Year Flood (100-Year Flood) is the flood that has a one percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.  Any flood zone that begins with the letter A or V is subject to the 100-year flood.  Over the life of a 30-year loan, there is a 26-percent chance of experiencing such a flood with the SFHA.

Participating Community is any community that voluntarily elects to participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management regulations that are consistent with the standards of the NFIP.

Post-FIRM Construction means construction or substantial improvement that started on or after the effective date of the initial FIRM of the community or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later.

Pre-FIRM Construction means construction or substantial improvement, which started on or before December 31, 1974, or before the effective date of the initial FIRM of the community, whichever is later.

Probation is a means of formally notifying participating communities of violations and deficiencies in the administration and enforcement of the local floodplain management regulations.

Public safety and nuisance, anything which is injurious to safety or health of an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal, or basin.

Recreational vehicle means a vehicle that is:

1. Built on a single chassis;
2. 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
3. Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and,
4. Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

Regular Program means the phase of the community’s participation in the NFIP where more comprehensive floodplain management requirements are imposed and higher amounts of insurance are available based upon risk zones and elevations determined in a FIS.

Regulatory floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.

Repair means the reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building.

Repetitive Loss means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, equals or exceeds twenty-five percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

Section 1316 is that section of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, which states that no new flood insurance coverage shall be provided for any property that the Administrator finds has been declared by a duly constituted state or local zoning authority or other authorized public body to be in violation of state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances that are intended to discourage or otherwise restrict land development or occupancy in flood-prone areas.

Significant hazard dam means a dam assigned the significant hazard potential classification where failure may cause damage to main roads, minor railroads, or cause interruption of use, or service of relatively important public utilities.

Special flood hazard area (SFHA) means that portion of the floodplain subject to inundation by the base flood and/or flood-related erosion hazards as shown on a FHBM or FIRM as Zone A, AE, A1 – A30, AH, AO, AR, V, VE, or V1-V30.

Start of construction (for other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act P. L.  97-348), includes substantial improvement, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, or improvement was within 180 days of the permit date.  The actual start means the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings, installation of piles, construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation or placement of a manufactured home on a foundation.  Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main building.  For substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

Structure, for floodplain management purposes, means a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home.

Structure, for insurance purposes, means a building with two or more outside rigid walls and a fully secured roof, that is affixed to a permanent site; a manufactured home built on a permanent chassis, transported to it site in one or more sections, and affixed to a permanent foundation; or a travel trailer without wheels, built on a chassis and affixed to a permanent foundation, that is regulated under the community’s floodplain management and building ordinances or laws.

Subrogation means an action brought by FEMA when flood damages have occurred, flood insurance has been paid, and all or part of the damage can be attributed to acts or omissions by a community or other third party.

Substantial Damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to it’s before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.  “Substantial damage” also means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds 25 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

For the purposes of this definition, “repair” is considered to occur when the first repair or reconstruction of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences.

The term does not apply to:

1. Any project for improvement of a building required to comply with existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the Code Enforcement Official and which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, or
2. Any alteration of a “historic structure” provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a “historic structure.”

Substantial Improvement means any combination of repairs, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure taking place during the life of the building, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent of the market value of the structure before the “start of construction” of the improvement.  This term includes structures which have incurred “repetitive loss” or “substantial damage,” regardless of the actual repair work performed. For the purposes of this definition, an improvement occurs when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

The term does not apply to:

1. any project for improvement of a building required to comply with existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the Code Enforcement Official and which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, or
2. Any alteration of a “historic structure” provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a “historic structure.”

Substantially improved existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions is where the repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads equals or exceeds 50 percent of the value of the streets, utilities and pads before the repair, reconstruction or improvement commenced.

Suspension means the removal of a participating community from the NFIP because the community has not enacted and/or enforced the proper floodplain management regulations required for participation in the NFIP.

Variance is a grant of relief from the requirements of this ordinance, which permits construction in a manner otherwise prohibited by this ordinance where specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship.

Violation means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with this ordinance.  A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in this ordinance is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.

Watercourse means a lake, river, creek, stream, wash, channel or other topographic feature on or over which waters flow at least periodically.  Watercourse includes specifically designated areas in which substantial flood damage may occur.

Water surface elevation means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, (or other datum, where specified) of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverine areas.

X zone means the area where the flood hazard is less than that in the SFHA.  Shaded X zones shown on recent FIRMs (B zones on older FIRMs) designate areas subject to inundation by the flood with a 0.2-percent annual probability of being equaled or exceeded (the 500-year flood).  Unshaded X zones (C zones on older FIRMs) designate areas where the annual exceedance probability of flooding is less than 0.2 percent.

Zone means a geographical area shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map or a Flood Insurance Rate Map that reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area. 

ARTICLE 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

SECTION A.  LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES.

This ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard (SFHA) and, as determined by the Floodplain Administrator or other delegated, designated, or qualified community official from available technical studies, historical information, and other available and reliable sources areas within the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors of Copiah County, which may be subject to periodic inundation by floodwaters that can adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Copiah County.

This ordinance shall apply to all areas within jurisdiction of Copiah County.

SECTION B.  BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD.

The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Flood Insurance Rate Map (multiple panels) Index No. 28029CIND0A, whose effective date is December 16, 2008.

New Countywide Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps

For a County:

The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Copiah County Flood Insurance Study, dated December 16, 2008 with the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map(s) (FIRM) and other supporting data are adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance.   The Flood Insurance Study and / or maps are on file at: Copiah County EMA.

SECTION C.  ESTABLISHMENT OF FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.

A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provision of this ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities in identified areas of flood hazard within the community.

SECTION D.  COMPLIANCE.

No structure or land shall hereafter be located, extended, converted or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.

SECTION E.  ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS.

This ordinance is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.  However, where this ordinance and another conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

SECTION F.  INTERPRETATION.

In the interpretation and application of this ordinance all provisions shall be:

1. Considered as minimum requirements;
2. Liberally construed in favor of the governing body, and;
3. Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes.

SECTION G.  WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY.

The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering consideration.  Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes.  This ordinance does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages.  This ordinance shall not create liability on the part of Board of Supervisors of Copiah County or by any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

SECTION H.  PENALTIES VIOLATION.

Violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements, including violation of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variance or special exceptions, shall constitute a misdemeanor.  Any person who violates this ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $100.00 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case.  Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.  Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Floodplain Administrator from taking such other lawful actions as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

ARTICLE 4. ADMINISTRATION.

SECTION A.        DESIGNATION OF FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE ADMINISTRATOR.

The Board of Supervisors of Copiah County hereby appoints the Deputy EMA Director  to administer and implement the provisions of this ordinance and is herein referred to as the Floodplain Administrator and/or the administrator.

SECTION B.        PERMIT PROCEDURES.

Application for a Development Permit shall be made to the Floodplain Administrator on forms furnished by him or her prior to any development activities, and may include, but not be limited to, the following plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, earthen fill, storage of materials or equipment, drainage facilities, and the location of the foregoing.  Specifically, the following information is required:

1. Application Stage.
   
   1. Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the proposed lowest floor (including basement) of all buildings;
   2. Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any non-residential building will be flood-proofed;
   3. Certificate from a registered professional engineer or architect that the non-residential flood-proofed building will meet the floodproofing criteria in Article 5, Section B (2) and Section C (2);
   4. Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as result of proposed development, and;
2. Construction Stage:
   Upon placement of the lowest floor, or flood-proofing by whatever construction means, it shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the NGVD elevation of the lowest floor or floodproofed elevation, as built, in relation to mean sea level.  Said certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same.  When floodproofing is utilized for a particular building said certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a professional engineer or architect and certified by same. Any work undertaken prior to submission of the certification shall be at the permit holder’ risk. (The Floodplain Administrator shall review the lowest floor & floodproofing elevation survey data submitted.)  The permit holder immediately and prior to further progressive work being permitted to proceed shall correct deficiencies detected by such review.  Failure to submit the survey or failure to make said corrections required hereby, shall be cause to issue a stop-work order for the project.

SECTION C.        POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FLOODPLAIN  ADMINISTRATOR.

The Floodplain Administrator and/or staff is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this ordinance.  The administrator is further authorized to render interpretations of this ordinance, which are consistent with its spirit and purpose.

1. Right of Entry
   
   1. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this ordinance, or whenever the administrator has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or ordinance violation which makes such building, structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the administrator may enter such building, structure or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or perform any duty imposed upon the administrator by this ordinance.
   2. If such building or premises are occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and request entry.  If such building, structure, or premises are unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of such request entry.
   3. If entry is refused, the administrator shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.
   4. When the administrator shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building, structure, or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the administrator for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this ordinance.
2. Stop Work Orders
   
   1. Upon notice from the administrator, work on any building, structure or premises that is being done contrary to the provisions of this ordinance shall immediately cease.  Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property, or to his agent, or to the person doing the work, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed.
3. Revocation of Permits
   
   1. The administrator may revoke a permit upon determination by the administrator that the construction, erection, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, installation, or replacement of the structure for which the permit was issued is in violation of, or not in conformity with, the provisions of this ordinance.

Duties of the administrator shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Review all development permits to assure that the permit requirements of this ordinance have been satisfied;
2. Advise permittee that additional federal or state permits may be required, and if specific federal or state permit requirements are known, require that copies of such permits be provided and maintained on file with the development permit.
3. Notify adjacent communities, the State NFIP Coordinator, and other federal and/or state agencies with statutory or regulatory authority prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse.
4. Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.
5. Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved buildings, in accordance with Article 4, Section B (2).
6. Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the new or substantially improved buildings have been floodproofed, in accordance with Article 4, Section B (2).
7. Review certified plans and specifications for compliance.
8. Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions) the Floodplain Administrator shall make the necessary interpretation.  The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in this article.
9. When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in accordance with Article 3, Section B, then the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer the provisions of Article 5.
10. Provide information, testimony, or other evidence, as needed during variance request hearings.
11. When damage occurs to a building or buildings, the following actions shall be conducted:
    
    1. Determine whether damaged structures are located within the Special Flood Hazard Area;
    2. Conduct damage assessments for those damaged structures located in the SFHA, and;
    3. Make a reasonable attempt to notify owner(s) of damaged structure(s) of the requirement to obtain a building permit / floodplain development permit prior to repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction.

ARTICLE 5. PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION.

SECTION A.  GENERAL STANDARDS.

In all areas of special flood hazard the following provisions are required:

1. New construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement of the structure;
2. Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.  Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.  This standard shall be in addition to and consistent with applicable state requirements for resisting wind forces;
3. New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;
4. New construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage;
5. Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding, such facilities shall be located a minimum of 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation;
6. New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system;
7. New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters;
8. On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding;
9. Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvements to a building that is in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance shall meet the requirements of  “new construction” as contained in this ordinance; and,
10. Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvements to a building that is not in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance, shall be undertaken only if said non-conformity is not furthered, extended, or replaced.
11. New construction and substantial improvement of any building shall have the lowest floor (including basement) at least one foot above the centerline of the designated street, unless the topography of the property does not allow for strict adherence as determined by the Floodplain Administrator.
    
    
12. New construction and substantial improvements built on fill shall be constructed on the properly designed and compacted fill that extends beyond the building walls before dropping below the base flood elevation, and shall have appropriate protection from erosion and scour.

SECTION B.  SPECIFIC STANDARDS.

In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided, as set forth in Article 3, Section B, the following provisions are required:

1. Residential Construction.  New construction and substantial improvement of any residential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than 1 foot above the base flood elevation.  Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, flood openings sufficient to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls of enclosures that are subject to flooding, shall be provided in accordance with standards of Article 5, Section B (3).
2. Non-Residential Construction.  New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or non-residential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to no lower than 1 foot above the level of the base flood elevation. Buildings located in all A-Zones may be flood-proofed in lieu of being elevated provided that all areas of the building below the base flood elevation (plus community free board) elevation are water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, and use structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy.  A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied.    Such certification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. 
3. Elevated Buildings.  New construction or substantial improvements of elevated buildings that include fully enclosed areas formed by foundation and other exterior walls below the base flood elevations shall be designed to preclude finished living space and designed to allow for the entry and exit of floodwaters to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls.
   1. Designs for complying with this requirement must either be certified by a professional engineer or architect or meet the following minimum criteria:
      1. Provide a minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding;
      2. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above foundation interior grade (which must be equal to in elevation or higher than the exterior foundation grade);
      3. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions;
      4. Limited in use to parking, storage, and building access; and,
      5. Limited to less than 300 square feet.
   2. Access to the enclosed area shall be minimum necessary to allow for parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises (standard exterior door) or entry to the living area (stairway or elevator); and
   3. The interior portion of such enclosed area shall not be partitioned or finished into separate rooms.
4. Detached storage buildings, shed, or other like accessory improvements, excluding detached garages, carports, and boat houses are used primarily for parking and storage of vehicles, and will be allowed up to no more than 300 square feet of unfinished, non-partitioned and enclosed storage space.  Such storage space shall not be used for human habitation and shall be limited to storage of items that can withstand exposure to the elements and have low flood damage potential.  The storage space shall be constructed of flood resistant or breakaway materials, and equipment and service utilities, such as electrical outlets, shall be limited to essential lighting and other incidental uses, and must be elevated or floodproofed.  Openings to preclude hydrostatic loading and allow ventilation as provided in Article 5 Section B. (3) shall also be required.  These accessory structures shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters.
5. Accessory improvements and other apparent structures shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation that may result in damage to other structures. 
6. Standards for Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles.
   1. All manufactured homes placed, or substantially improved, on individual lots or parcels, in existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions, in expansions to existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions, in new manufactured home parks or subdivisions or in substantially improved manufactured home parks or subdivisions, must meet all the requirements for new construction, including elevation and anchoring.
      
      Manufactured homes must be:
      1. Elevated on a permanent foundation, and
      2. Have its lowest floor elevated no lower than 1 foot above the level of the base flood elevation, and
      3. Be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
   2. All recreational vehicles placed on sites must either:
      1. Be on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days,
      2. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or
      3. Must meet all the requirements for new construction, including anchoring and elevation requirements of this Article 5, Section B (7) (a) or Article 5, Section B (7) (b) (i) and (ii), above.
         
         A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is licensed and insured in accordance with the state of Mississippi motor vehicle regulations, is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.
         
         
   3. All principally above ground gas or liquid storage tanks shall be anchored to prevent flotation and lateral movement.

SECTION C.  STANDARDS FOR STREAMS WITHOUT BASE FLOOD ELEVATIONS AND FLOODWAYS.

Located within the areas of special flood hazard and community flood hazard areas established in Article 3, Section A and Section B, where flood sources exist but where no base flood data has been provided or where base flood data has been provided without floodways, the following provisions apply:

1. When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in Accordance with Article 3, Section A and Section B, then the local administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state, or other source, in order to administer the provisions of Article 5.  If data is not available from outside sources, then the following provisions [(2), (3) and (4)] shall apply.
2. In special flood hazard areas with base flood elevations (Zones AE and A1-30) but without floodways, no encroachments, including fill material or structures, shall be permitted unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the community.  The engineering certification must be supported by technical data that conforms to standard hydraulic engineering principles.
3. No encroachments, including fill material or structures, shall be located within a distance of the stream bank equal to five times the width of the stream at the top of the bank or twenty feet each side from the top of the bank, whichever is greater, unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that such encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
4. When base flood elevation data or floodway data are not available in accordance with Article 3, Section A, in Special Flood Hazard Areas and Community Flood Hazard Areas without Base Flood Elevation Data, new construction or substantial improvements of structures shall be elevated or floodproofed to elevations adopted / established by the community. The floodplain administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer the provisions of Article 5 of this ordinance.  The reference for this action is to be FEMA 265 “Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas: A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base Flood Elevation”, dated July 1995.

SECTION D.  STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS AND OTHER PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

1. All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
2. All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
3. All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards, and;
4. Base flood elevation data shall be provided for all new subdivision proposals and other proposed development (including manufactured home parks and subdivisions), which is greater than five lots or five acres, whichever is the lesser.

SECTION E.  CRITICAL FACILITIES.

Construction of new or substantially improved critical facilities shall be, to the maximum extent possible, located outside the limits of the special flood hazard area (SFHA) (100-year floodplain).  Construction of new critical facilities shall be permissible within the SFHA if no feasible alternative site is available.  Critical facilities constructed within the SFHA shall have the lowest floor elevated three feet (approximate 500-year floodplain) or more above the level of the base flood elevation at the site.  Floodproofing and sealing measures must be taken to ensure that toxic substances will not be displaced by or released into floodwaters.  Access routes elevated to or above the level of the base flood elevation shall be provided to all critical facilities to the maximum extent possible.

ARTICLE 6. VARIANCE PROCEDURES.

SECTION A.  DESIGNATION OF VARIANCE AND APPEALS BOARD.

The Variance and Appeals Board as established by the Board of Supervisors of Copiah County shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from requirements of this ordinance.

SECTION B.  DUTIES OF VARIANCE AND APPEALS BOARD.

The board shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged an error in any requirement, decision, or determination is made by the Floodplain Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this ordinance. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the board may appeal such decision to the Chancery Court as provided in Mississippi State Code Annotated 1972.

SECTION C.  VARIANCE PROCEDURES.

In passing upon such applications, the Variance and Appeals Board shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this ordinance, and:

1. The evaluation must be based on the characteristics unique to that property and not be shared by adjacent parcels.  The characteristics must pertain to the land itself, not to the structure, its inhabitants, or its owners;
2. Variances should never be granted for multiple lots, phases of subdivisions, or entire subdivisions;
3. The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
4. The danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
5. The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
6. The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
7. The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
8. The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion damage;
9. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
10. The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;
11. The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
12. The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment of transport of the flood waters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and,
13. The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, and streets and bridges.
14. Upon consideration of factors listed above, and the purpose of this ordinance, the Variance and Appeals Board may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this ordinance.

SECTION D.  CONDITIONS FOR VARIANCES.

1. Variances shall only be issued when there is:
   1. A showing of good and sufficient cause;
   2. A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship; and,
   3. A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public expense, create nuisance, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
2. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief; and in the instance of an “historic structure,” a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary so as not to destroy the historic character and design of the building.
3. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice specifying the difference between the base flood elevation and the elevation to which the lowest floor is to be built and stating that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation. (See Article 6, Section E.)
4. The Floodplain Administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal actions and report any variances to the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Mississippi Emergency Management Agency upon request. (See Section E.)

SECTION E.  VARIANCE NOTIFICATION.

Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice over the signature of a community official that:

1. The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood elevation will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25 for $100 of insurance coverage, and;
2. Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property.  A copy of the notice shall be recorded by the Floodplain Administrator in the Office of the Copiah County  Recorder and shall be recorded in a manner so that it appears in the chain of title of the affected parcel of land.

The Floodplain Administrator will maintain a record of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance, and report such variances issued in the community’s biennial report submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

SECTION F.  HISTORIC STRUCTURES.

Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of “historic structures” upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as an “historic structure” and the variance is the minimum to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.

SECTION G.  SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

Upon consideration of the factors listed in Article 6, and the purposes of this ordinance, the Variance and Appeals Board may attach such conditions to the granting of variances, as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this ordinance.

ARTICLE 7. SEVERABILITY.

If any section, clause, sentence, or phrase of the Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way effect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.  This ordinance having first been reduced to writing was adopted at a public meeting of the  Copiah County Board of Supervisors, on November10,2008, wherein the vote was as follows:

 Flood Damage Prevention